Teacher training
About our Culture Classes
Learning English as a foreign language may seem unimportant to students when their exposure to all things English is limited to just a few classroom hours a week. We believe it is important to help students realise that the language they study in the classroom is connected to a whole world outside the classroom – a world of different English-speaking cultures, which is often hard for them to experience directly.
Learn beyond the language
Over 3,000,000 ESO and Bachillerato students studying with Burlington Books courses have now enjoyed a Burlington Culture Class. In these classes, one of our Teacher Trainers introduces students, in a light-hearted but instructive way, to different cultural aspects of the English-speaking world. This helps bring the language alive for the students. If you are thinking about using a new Burlington coursebook this year, contact us to ask about our culture classes!
Eso culture classes
UK Culture Class
In this class, the students learn about the different countries that make up the UK. We look at the flags, national symbols, Royal Family, food, languages, pop music and other aspects of life in Britain in a fun way.
USA Culture Class
This class focuses on US culture, including topics such as food, sport, television and other aspects of US pop culture. We also look at some of the differences between British and US English.
Global English
This class goes beyond the boundaries of the UK to take a look at some other English-speaking countries such as Australia, Canada, India and Jamaica.
A trip to london
Take a trip with us around London and visit some of the many sights this great city has to offer, including the Tower of London, the Houses of Parliament and Madame Tussauds. We visit Sherlock Holmes’ London and discover the origins of the British police. Students also learn about British money and the best places to shop and eat.
British traditions and festivals
In this session, we go through the calendar and stop on certain days when an important festival or holiday is celebrated in Britain. From Halloween to Bonfire Night, Boxing Day to April Fool’s Day, learn about some strange and curious traditions and festivals, some of which are only celebrated in Britain.
Characters in literature
English literature has created characters that have become an integral part of our culture. The appeal of Hamlet, Sherlock Holmes or Robinson Crusoe is universal, and is not confined to the original stories or the historical period in which they were written, but is reflected in film, television and other aspects of contemporary culture. In this lesson, we focus on the characters rather than the stories, from Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet to J. K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series.
Animals in literature
From classics like Moby Dick or The Jungle Book, to modern fiction such as Jaws or The Lion King, some of the most celebrated characters of English literature come from the animal kingdom. In this lesson, we take a look at some animal characters from children’s literature.
Sherlock Holmes
In this lesson we discover how the author, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, came to create this iconic fictional detective. We take a trip to Victorian London, where Sherlock Holmes lived and find out about the different methods that he used to track down criminals.
Ghosts and legends
This lesson touches on themes from various Burlington Readers. From some of the better-known phantoms to Britain’s most popular legends, the students will have the opportunity to expand their vocabulary and knowledge on all things scary and mysterious.
English Literature
What do Shakespeare, Conan Doyle and Mark Twain have in common? They are all among the most widely read authors in the English language. In our General Literature lesson for ESO, we take a look at some of the most important authors from around the English-speaking world, their greatest works and the characters that made them famous.
Villains in literature
How did Sweeney Todd dispose of his victims? Which real historical figure inspired Bram Stoker’s Dracula? In this lesson, we take a look at the darker side of English literature, including characters from crime fiction, such as Sherlock Holmes’ arch-enemy Moriarty, as well as real-life characters, such as Jack the Ripper, who have inspired fictional works.
Dracula
In this lesson, students learn about the most famous vampire in literature. They discover how the author, Bram Stoker, was inspired by the story of the real Romanian prince Vlad the Impaler, to create the character of Count Dracula. We also look at the influence of Dracula in popular culture including film and television.
Pop music
Listening to pop music in English can often be a fun and entertaining way for students to become more interested in the language. In this class, we look at some of the greatest artists from past and present and how their music and their images influenced popular culture.
All about australia
In this lesson, students discover animals unique to Australia, including the most dangerous spiders and snakes in the world. They learn about Australia’s cuisine, traditions, holidays, and sport and see what makes this country so different from the rest of the world.
All about britain
Learn about the country’s intriguing history and diverse culture. Find out about the royal family, popular landmarks, and mysterious legends. In this lesson, we also discover the reasons behind some unusual British traditions, and learn some strange and interesting facts about the present and past.
All about canada
In this lesson, we find out about aboriginal or ‘First Nations’ Canadians and the conflict between The French and the British that shaped Canada’s history. Students will learn about Canadian sport and the Winterlude festival in Quebec. We also look at the spectacular natural attractions and Canadian wildlife.
All about Scotland
In this lesson, we look at the history of this special country in the north of Britain. We find out about Scottish heroes and talented writers. Students will travel to the wild Highlands and around the deep lochs (watch out for that Loch Ness Monster!), learn about Scottish inventions that changed the world, the Gaelic language, and traditional foods like haggis. You can even discover why Scottish men wear kilts!
All about the caribbean
There is much more to the Caribbean than just tropical beaches and coconut palms. Its cultural diversity makes it an amazing place to visit. In this class we go on an island-hopping tour which takes in the history, languages, music, sporting success stories and culinary traditions of this beautiful part of the world.
All about the USA
From the White House in Washington to the beaches of California, in this lesson students will visit many parts of the USA. They will take a trip along the famous Route 66 and learn about some of the differences between British and American English and how immigration shaped the culture of this land.
All about Ireland
In this lesson, students learn about the symbols, legends, and myths of the ‘Emerald Isle’ as well as its culture and cuisine. They visit landmarks from Phoenix Park in Dublin to The Giants’ Causeway in Northern Ireland and discover how the potato famine led mass migration to America.
All about New Zealand
In this lesson, students find out about the country’s history since the first settlers arrived from Polynesia, hundreds of years ago. They will learn about the Maori people and the arrival of the first European settlers and about the geography of its many islands. We visit its magnificent natural wonders, and find out how the kiwi fruit got its name.
All about Wales
Wales has more castles than any other European country per km2 – a testimony to its history of rebellions and battles for independence from England. In this lesson students discover the significance of the daffodil, the leek, and the red dragon to this special country. They also learn how many people still speak Welsh today, and why the Welsh people are so proud of their unique culture and heritage.
All about South Africa
In this lesson, students get to know South Africa’s national hero, Nelson Mandela, and how he fought against apartheid. They find out why South Africa about the different languages spoken in South Africa and why it is called the Rainbow Nation. We also discover natural wonders like Table Mountain, the Boulders Beach and the Kruger National Park, home to the magnificent wildlife of South Africa.
All about India
In this lesson students find out why English is one of India’s official languages and what other languages are spoken there. They visit the Taj Mahal and find out why it was built. They get to know some of India’s famous heroes like Mahatma Gandhi, who promoted non-violent activism in order to attain independence for India. They also learn about Indian cuisine, sport and Bollywood, the home of Indian cinema.
All about Japan
With its ancient traditions and state-of the-art technologies, Japan is a land of contrasts. From the noise and bustle of Tokyo or Osaka, to the beautiful temples of Kyoto and the snowy mountains of Hokkaido, Japan has so much to offer the visitor. Find out about these places and learn about the country’s language, culture, and exquisite cuisine.
Food Glorious Food
This class focuses on more detailed food-related vocabulary, with particular emphasis on pronunciation. We look at some traditional dishes from different English-speaking countries, as well as the fast-food culture in the USA.
Bachillerato culture classes
A trip to britain
In this class, students will discover why the British drive on the left, as well as learn about the world’s first underground train system. They will also discover more about the cultural differences between the different parts of the UK, and the different languages that are spoken in Wales and Scotland.
USA Road trip
Travel with us along the historic Route 66 highway. Along the way, we will find out about US car culture and eating habits. We will also look at the best places to stay. Finally, we will take you on a musical tour of the whole country, discovering the geographical roots of different musical genres.
Around the english - Speaking world
In this humorous but informative talk, we take a look at a number of different English-speaking countries. We will be travelling around the globe, stopping off at various points to examine some cultural and linguistic curiosities.
New York, New York
This class takes the students on a trip around the Big Apple. They will find out about the history of this great metropolis and about the different generations of immigrants that have contributed to its success. We will also take a look at the city’s various sports teams and musical heritage.
London Calling
In this class, we take a trip around London, travelling on the Underground and stopping at different stations to visit some of the many sights in this great city. Students learn about both traditional London culture and the multicultural attractions of life in the capital.
A to Z of english
In this higher level vocabulary-based class, we go through the English alphabet, taking one word for each letter and explaining some fascinating facts relating to that word. Along the way, we discover some ‘false friends’ and explain the origins of a number of idiomatic expressions.
English literature
This culturally diverse lesson is full of new vocabulary and is a fun way to learn about eight of the English language’s most important writers, many of whom are featured authors in the Burlington Readers series. Just like Sherlock Holmes, the students will have to play detective, as each author is presented through a series of clues.
Gothic legends
Gothic fiction became fashionable in Victorian Britain before spreading to the rest of the English-speaking world. In this lesson, we look at some of the characters that emerged during this period and have remained legends to this day: Frankenstein, Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, Sweeney Todd and the real-life legend of Jack the Ripper.
Great women writers
Discover the lives of the renowned women writers of timeless classics such as Frankenstein, Pride and Prejudice and Little Women. In this higher level lesson, we take a closer look at these authors, who have made such important contributions to English literature. Who is the best-selling novelist of all time? What was the inspiration for the novel Sense and Sensibility? These questions and more are answered in the lesson.
Shakespeare
Shakespeare is considered to be one of the greatest playwrights ever. In this lesson, the students will also discover what an impact Shakespeare had on the English language, and learn about the evolution of English since the Elizabethan era. They may also be surprised by Shakespeare’s personal life, the secrets he kept and the importance of his death.
A foreigner in Australia
Find out all about life ‘down under’, Australian actors, sporting heroes and how to speak ‘Strine’, the Australian version of the English language. This lesson also looks at aboriginal culture and the history of this remarkable country, its famous landmarks, and its unique and varied fauna.
Adrian Mole
Adrian Mole is a teenager in 1980’s England. This lesson will take your students on a very amusing journey into Adrian Mole’s secret diary, exploring life and love as an adolescent in Britain. They will look at various topics related to being a teen and the struggles and joys of growing up, thus encouraging students to compare it to their own experiences as a teenager.
All about the cinema
In this lesson students find out how film-making grew into the billion-dollar industry it is today. We look at the development of films from silent black-and-white pictures to today’s epic 3D films with amazing special effects. We talk about different film genres and the most popular past and present film stars and directors.
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